JOURNEYS DISPATCHES

Few places on Earth offer better opportunities to study astronomy than the ultra-clear skies of Southern Arizona. Join us on a spectacular intergalactic journey and discover for yourself an infinite array of celestial phenomena during hands-on telescope viewing, in-depth lectures, and tours of some of the world’s great centers for intergalactic research. Spend a full day at Kitt Peak National Observatory, featuring the world’s most diverse collection of astronomical observatories. Tour the Mayall 4-meter optical telescope and the McMath Solar telescope and more! Journey to Smithsonian’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory located high atop Mt. Hopkins, the second highest peak in the Santa Rita range of the Coronado National Forest, for a VIP tour of the massive 6.5 Meter Mirror Telescope (MMT) and other powerful optical telescopes. You’ll also visit Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter in the mountains north of Tucson where you’ll have the opportunity to look through a 32” Shulman telescope and enjoy instruction on how to view and photograph the night sky. Enjoy sumptuous meals and attend exclusive discussions on the structure of the universe and other mysteries of the sky. Limited to 28 participants.

Itinerary
Day 1—Tucson
Individual arrivals at the Arizona Inn in Tucson. Join fellow travelers and Smithsonian Journeys Expert David Aguilar for a welcome reception, opening remarks, and dinner. (R,D)

Day 2—Kitt Peak National Observatory
Spend a day at Kitt Peak National Observatory located 60 miles southwest of Tucson in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O'odham Reservation. Kitt Peak has the world’s largest collection of optical telescopes. Visit the McMath Pierce Solar Telescope, the largest in the world, the 2.1 meter scope, and the Mayall 4-meter scope. Return to the hotel to relax before a presentation by David Aguilar. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner after the lecture. (L,D)

Day 3—Smithsonian's Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
Gather for a presentation by David Aguilar. This afternoon, depart for lunch in downtown Tucson. Continue on to the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory and board smaller vehicles for a drive up to Mt. Hopkins. Gather at Observatory Ridge to view several reflector telescopes including the 1.2- and 1.5-meter telescopes and the 10-meter-diameter optical reflector used for gamma ray studies. Then visit the 6.5-meter Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT). Explore the MMT housing, a four-story structure of offices, workshops, and computer labs that rotate with the instrument during the nightly observations. Afterwards, join astronomers for a catered dinner. Descend Mt. Hopkins and view the skies through smaller telescopes at the Visitors Center. (L,D)

Day 4—Mt. Lemmon Sky Center
Enjoy your morning at leisure, then join Smithsonian Journeys expert David Aguilar for a discussion followed by a festive lunch at the hotel. This afternoon, depart for the picturesque mountains north and east of Tucson. Late in the day arrive at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, part of the University of Arizona and the Steward Observatory. After a light meal there will be an opening presentation, then as the sky darkens, look in to the night skies of Southern Arizona. You’ll have the opportunity to view through the center’s new 32” Shulman telescope at planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Through inter-active demonstrations you’ll learn how to photograph stars and planets, use sky charts to view the night sky and more! (L,D)